Actuary Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $67.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Madison, WI runs $67.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,661 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,793 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the median actuary hourly rate is projected to be $67.14 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $64.50. This reflects well on the local market and presents opportunities for actuaries in various settings, such as insurance company pricing departments, consulting firms, and reinsurance pricing teams. For part-time workers, such as those looking for a 3-day workweek, this hourly salary can significantly enhance their income, allowing for a sustainable work-life balance while still commanding a competitive rate. Entry-level actuaries can expect to earn around $40.26 per hour, while top earners in the profession may see rates up to $107.43. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections and highlights the robust compensation potential for actuaries in Madison.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.26 | $322.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.00 | $408.01 |
| Median (P50) | $67.14 | $537.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.42 | $683.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.43 | $859.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $67.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.14/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $139,655 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,570. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,685.68 | $11,638 | $139,655 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,611.41 | $6,983 | $83,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,074.27 | $4,655 | $55,862 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Madison) | $67.14 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Madison, WI earn a median of $139,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.10% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 11.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $125,256.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.14/hr = $83,793/year (purchasing power: $86,130).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,655/year (purchasing power: $143,550).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Madison grew 24.1% from $52.41/hr (2019) to $65.06/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Madison
Part-time actuaries working three days a week for 24 hours will earn about $83,000 annually, an attractive income compared to many other professions in Madison. For those considering per-diem or 1099 work, it’s less common at junior levels. However, seasoned practitioners with FSA or FCAS credentials can command impressive rates in consulting roles, often billing clients between $250 and $500 per hour. Actuaries involved in expert witness testimony can earn $400 to $800 per hour, reflecting the critical demand for their expertise. Compensation varies significantly based on employer types, with life, health, property, and casualty insurance companies offering different pay scales, often influenced by their own benefit structures. Many actuaries trade off higher hourly earnings for benefits such as health insurance, which can play a substantial role in their decision-making. Negotiating offers in Madison can hinge on developing strong relationships and showcasing your unique qualifications, especially as industry needs evolve toward more predictive analytics and data science capabilities.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Madison. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov